[svcw]

No, it is this simple: the founders put no religious requirement for running for office BY THE GOVERNMENT - this did not EVER apply to individuals!

Even more simple:

no religion test for RUNNING for office

individuals are free to use whatever they want to choose a candidate - even religion

[1rudeboy]

Oh my, so now you are arguing with a figment of your imagination. I may have to leave this thread to the two of you.

[muawiyah]

The "no religious test for office" applied only to those seeking federal offices. It targeted but a single state ~ Pennsylvania where you had to be a Quaker, by law, to hold any sort of public office.

The fact it is in there is a recognition that the intent of the Founders was for the states to run the elections!

The other states had no particular problem with the federal office holders, and even where they had a state church (Virginia, New Jersey, some others) it had been a very long time since they had a "religious test".

The whole point of it was to make sure Christians were allowed to run for federal office and hold appointments as federal judges.